Course Access

Across New York State, Black, Latinx, Native American students, and students from low-income backgrounds are disproportionately excluded from advanced coursework, creating significant equity challenges. Access to courses like computer science, Calculus, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college credit opportunities in high school gives students a competitive edge in college admissions and increases their likelihood of success in higher education and future careers.

Our Equity-Centered Approach

We work alongside our partners of the New York Equity Coalition to create an equity narrative in support of course access statewide through data analysis and student perspective. Our collective efforts helped enact New York State legislation in 2023 that will increase access to advanced coursework by directing school districts to inform families early about the benefits of enrolling in advanced classes, as well as how and when to enroll.

We continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that increase the number of Black, Latinx, Native American students and students from low-income backgrounds enrollment in advanced coursework. We support initiatives that will provide a better understanding of which students are participating in programs and the barriers to increased participation.

Latest Resource

Report: Within Our Reach. Who’s in? Who’s Out?

This report explores several reasons for inequitable access to advanced coursework and examines statewide enrollment figures for the 2021-22 school year, as well as whether students of color and students from low-income backgrounds attend schools with such courses.

Read more

Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years

default

Report: Regional Data on Course Access

In these data snapshots, you will find regional-specific data on course access enrollment from the 2021-22 school year for Albany, Buffalo, Long Island, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers.

Learn more
default

Student Voice: Equitable Access Now Blog Series

Across New York State, many Black, Latinx, and American Indian students and students from low-income backgrounds do not have access to advanced courses or are underenrolled in such courses. The New York Equity Coalition hosted discussion groups with students to hear why this equity issue is so critical. The three-part Equitable Access Now blog series shares what they had to say in their own words.

Learn more
default

Report: Proficient and Passed Over

Even when students who are from low-income backgrounds; Latinx, Black, and Native American students; current and former English Language Learners; students with disabilities; and students in temporary housing demonstrate proficiency on the grade 7 state math assessment, they are less likely than their peers to be given the chance to take advanced math classes in grades 8 and 9.

Learn more
default

Blog: Bill That Would Improve Access to Advanced Coursework Passes!

A514A/S5650A, which is now signed into law, will direct school districts to inform families early on about the benefits of enrolling in advanced classes, ensure families have information about what courses are offered, what supports are available for students, how students can enroll, and more.
Learn more

Data Snapshot

Only

%

of Native Americans, 9% of Black, and 8% of Latinx students are enrolled in AP/IB math/science courses statewide

*New York Equity Coalition, 2023

Only

%

of students from low-income backgrounds attend a school that offers AP/IB courses

*New York Equity Coalition, 2023

More Resources

Students Can’t Wait: Equity Priorities for New Yorkers in 2023

by | Jan 31, 2023 |

During our briefing, we joined with our partners from the New York Equity Coalition and discussed what our most recent research shows about the state of education in NY, what investments Governor Hochul proposed to help children and families, and our policy recommendations for the 2023 legislative session. 

Investing in Equity

by | Jan 22, 2022 |

Read our takeaways from Governor Hochul’s 2023 Executive Budget, which includes a number of critical investments that will help to support New York’s children and families beginning at birth through college and into the workforce.